Server computing device lighting for maintenance

ABSTRACT

A light source unit may be disposed at a first posterior side location of a server computing device. The light source unit may be configured to at least provide lighting to a posterior side of the server computing device via one or more light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes may be coupled to at least a second posterior side location of the server computing device. The light source unit may include a first universal serial bus (USB) interface configured to receive a first end of a USB cable. The USB cable may be configured to connect to a power source at a second end. The power source may be for use in providing power to the light emitting diodes.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to server computing devices, and morespecifically, to providing lighting to server computing devices suchthat maintenance work may be performed.

A data center is a physical (or virtual) centralized repository for datastorage, data management, and data dissemination. The data maycorrespond to information that is organized around a particular body ofknowledge or a particular business. A data center may be a facility thatoccupies one or more rooms. The data center may include various servercomputing devices mounted in rack cabinets, which may be placed in rowsforming aisles. This orientation may allow maintenance workers to accessthe front or posterior side (e.g., rear side) of each cabinet. Eachserver computing device module (e.g., blade) may include a posteriorside where various cables (e.g., patch cables) are connected to variousinput/output (I/O) interfaces at a first end and connected to other I/Ointerfaces at a second end. A maintenance worker may frequently have toservice these modules by removing and reconnecting the cables. Forexample, a maintenance worker may have to test a circuit and mayaccordingly identify a particular cable by searching for a cable marker(i.e., identifier).

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments are directed to a system, a light source unit,and a kit for providing lighting to a server computing device. A lightsource unit may be disposed at a first posterior side location of theserver computing device. The light source unit may be configured to atleast provide lighting to a posterior side of the server computingdevice via one or more light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodesmay be coupled to at least a second posterior side location of theserver computing device. The light source unit may include a firstuniversal serial bus (USB) interface configured to receive a first endof a USB cable. The USB cable may be configured to connect to a powersource at a second end. The power source may be for use in providingpower to the light emitting diodes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a posterior perspective view of a server computing device withLEDs coupled to inner sidewalls of a frame of the server computingdevice, according to embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an example of the Module 8 of FIG. 1, and the light sourceunit of FIG. 1, which illustrates that the Module 8 may be the powersource for the LEDs, according to embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an example of the Module 8 of FIG. 1, and the light sourceunit of FIG. 1, which illustrates that a user computing device may bethe power source for the LEDs, according to embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example light source unit, according toembodiments.

FIG. 5 is the server computing device of FIG. 1 that includes a dooraxially coupled to the frame at the outer edge.

While the present disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the presentdisclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, thepresent disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to providing lightingto server computing devices such that maintenance work may be performed.While the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to suchapplications, various aspects of the disclosure may be appreciatedthrough a discussion of various examples using this context.

Data centers may include low-lit rooms to house their server computingdevices, as data centers may consume an enormous quantity of energy.Because of the enormous amount of increasing energy consumption, moreand more providers may be adopting aggressive energy conservationpractices. Consequently, however, maintenance workers may be at adisadvantage for engaging in repairs or maintenance on each module, asit may be difficult to see to perform their duties. Each servercomputing device module may include several bundled (or non-bundled)cables, and each cable may include a small cable marker such that theworker can properly identify the cable needed for repair or maintenance.Currently, maintenance workers may be forced to hold a flashlight orsome other lighting device up to each server computing device module inorder to see the cable markers or other connections at the posteriorside of the server computing device. This may be cumbersome,particularly when trying to remove or replace a module or other largepiece of hardware, as the worker may be forced to place the lightingdevice in a separate area in order to hold the module with two hands.However, if the worker places the lighting device in a separate area, heor she may then not able to see.

Lighting may be fixed to the server computing device or other apparatus,but the power supply utilized for the lighting may be a power supplyunit (PSU) or power distribution unit (PDU), which includes a power cordthat plugs into an electrical socket. These units may convert mainsalternating-current (AC) to direct current (DC) to supply power for eachserver computing device. However, these power supply methods may consumea large quantity of power in a data center and may therefore beinconsistent with today's movement of adopting aggressive energyconservation practices for data centers. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent disclosure are directed towards providing one or more lightemitting diodes (LEDs) coupled to a posterior side location of a servercomputing device and the power source utilized for the LEDs includes auniversal serial bus (USB) cable coupled to a server computing devicemodule power source or other user computing device power source. USBconnected devices coupled with utilizing LEDs (which may utilize a smallquantity of energy) may allow for consumption of a significantly smallquantity of power, thereby aligning with the energy conservationpractices for data centers.

FIG. 1 is a posterior perspective view of a server computing device 100with LEDs coupled to inner sidewalls (i.e., side, or inside) of a frameof the server computing device 100, according to embodiments. The servercomputing device 100 may include a frame 102. The frame 102 may includean inner top portion 102A, an outer edge 102B, a first inner sidewall102C, an inner bottom portion 102D, and a second inner sidewall 102E.The server computing device may also include one or more LEDs 104, aplurality of slots or shelves to receive the modules (module 1-15) andPDUs, (PDU-1, PDU-2, and PDU-3). Moreover, the server computing device100 may include a light source unit 108, a first section 110A where noLEDs are present, and a second section 110B where no LEDs are present.As disclosed herein the term “posterior,” may mean back side, rear side,or any side of the server computing device 100 or module which containsI/O interfaces and/or cable(s) (e.g., patch cables). The term “servercomputing device” may mean the server computing device itself and/or apart associated with the server computing device, such as a frame, I/Odrawers, modules, etc.

The server computing device 100 may be any suitable server computingdevice for embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, theserver computing device 100 may be configured as a blade server, rackserver, a cloud server, etc. Types of server hosting may include shared,virtual, clustered (e.g., Network Attached Clustered Storage Systems),and cloud systems or any other hosting. Server application types mayinclude web servers, application servers, specialized servers such asfile, printer and database servers, media and mail servers, etc. Itshould be understood that the quantity and presence of the Modules(1-15) and PDUs (1-3) are by way of illustration only. Accordingly, insome embodiments, the server computing device 100 may not necessarilyinclude any of the modules (1-15), or the server computing device 100may include a different quantity of modules (e.g., 7 modules). Asdisclosed herein, the term “module” may mean server computing devicenode, compartment, I/O drawer, book, blade, instance (e.g., groupedcomponents), etc. Moreover, the server computing device 100 may notnecessarily include the PDU-1, PDU-2, PDU-3 as it is illustrated in FIG.1, or may include more or less PDUs.

The frame 102 as disclosed in the present disclosure may mean housing,cabinet, rack, or the like and provides the structural enclosure and/orsupport (e.g., along with various module chasis) for each of the Modulesand PDUs. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the LEDs 104 may be positionedbeginning at the first section 110A within the inner sidewall 102C andform a continuous layout (e.g., pattern, presentation, organization,etc.) up from the inner sidewall 102C, to the inner top portion 102A(i.e., inside top portion of the frame), to the inner sidewall frame102E and end at the second section 110B. It should be understood thatthe particular positioning, orientation, and quantity of the LEDs 104 isshown by way of illustration. Accordingly, the LEDs 104 may be coupledto any posterior side location of the server computing device. Forexample, the LEDs 104 may not necessarily form a continuous layout, butmay be presented in distinct units along the server computing device 100(e.g., one unit right at the first section 110A, and another unit rightat the second section 110B). Further, the LEDs may be encompassed aroundthe entire server computing device 100. For example, instead ofbeginning at the first section 110A and ending at the second section110B, the LEDs 104 may also be included in the first section 110A, thesecond section 110B, and the inner bottom portion 102D. Moreover, theLEDs 104 may be disposed at the outer edge 102B, on the modulesthemselves (e.g., encompassing all four sides, posterior edges, etc. ofmodule 15), or any other location where the I/O interfaces or cables arepresent. FIG. 1 illustrates that only one row of LEDs 104 are utilized,but it is understood that more rows may be included to provide morelighting.

Notwithstanding that the positioning of the LEDs 104 is shown by way ofillustration in FIG. 1, there may be various advantages to thepositioning illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, by positioning the LEDs104 at the inner sidewall 102C, the inner top portion 102A, and theinner sidewall 102E, the lighting may be provided directly to each ofthe modules 1-15 in case any of the cable markers need to be quickly andefficiently identified in low-lit conditions or any of the modules 1-15need to be replaced or repaired. Conversely, if the LEDs 104 were placedat the outer edge 102B, the LEDs 104 may not provide direct lighting toeach of the modules. Further, by placing the LEDs 104 at a portion ofthe inner sidewall 102C (e.g., not the entire inner sidewall) bystarting and ending at the first section 110A and the second section110B where the PDUs are, a maintenance worker may not necessarily needlighting or as much lighting at the PDUs because the PDUs may notrequire maintenance workers to identify small cable markers among manycables, as the PDUs may include large non-identifiable cables connectedto outlet sockets.

FIG. 2 is an example of the Module 8 of FIG. 1, and the light sourceunit 108 of FIG. 1, which illustrates that the Module 8 may be the powersource for the LEDs, according to embodiments. FIG. 2 may include LEDs104, an LED strip 104A, the inner sidewall 102C, Module 8, innersidewall 102E, the light source unit 108 that includes a USB interface216, signal lines 230, and a USB cable 212 that includes a first end212A and a second end 212B. The Module 8 may include a USB interface214, a top edge 218A, a first side edge 218B, a bottom edge 218C, and asecond side edge 218D.

The term “light source unit” (e.g., light source unit 108) as describedherein may mean any device capable of being the source for illuminatinglight and other input/output functions, as described in more detailbelow. The light source unit 108 may be configured to at least providelighting to the posterior side of the server computing device via theone or more LEDs 104. In order to provide light via the LEDs 104, theUSB cable 212 may be connected at the USB interface 216 of the lightsource unit 208 with the first end 212A and connected to the USBinterface 214 of the Module 8 with the second end 212B. The ends 212Aand 212B be may be connectors of the cable 212. Accordingly, the Module8 may provide power or be the power source to the light source unit 108,and the light source unit 108 may initiate the lighting process to lightthe LEDs 104. The term “power source” as described herein may mean anydevice that provides power to the LEDs such that they are able tomaintain lighting. In some embodiments, the power source may be amaintenance module. As disclosed herein, the maintenance module may be amodule responsible for managing at least some of the server computingdevice cables. The maintenance module may include more USB interfacesthan other modules and may be located as the center-most oriented modulewithin the frame. Moreover, the maintenance module may include a cablemanagement arm to direct, organize, and manage cables so as to reduceentanglement of cables. In some embodiments, Module 8 is the maintenancemodule. It is understood that although Module 8 is illustrated as beingthe power source, any of the Modules (e.g., Module 1-15 of FIG. 1) orposterior side of a server computing device may be the power source.

The light source unit 108 may disposed at any posterior side location ofthe server computing device. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2, the light source unit 108 is disposed or coupled at or near(e.g., immediately below) the posterior side of Module 8. Alternatively,the light source unit 108 may be coupled to a server computing deviceframe (e.g., frame 102 of FIG. 1), or any of the other modules (e.g.,modules 1-15 of FIG. 1 or PDUs 1-3 of FIG. 1). Moreover, there may bemore than one light source unit 108. For example, each Module mayinclude a light source unit for providing light that surrounds each sideof a module.

The LEDs 104 may be coupled to LED strips 104A. The term “strips” may beidentical in some embodiments, to “light bars,” units of light bars,“housings,” etc. that house each of the signal lines 230 going from thelight unit 108 to each of the LEDs 104. The LED strips 104A may befastened to the server computing device in various manners. For example,the LED strips 104A may include an adhesive backing and therefore befixed at the inner posterior sidewall 102C. In some embodiments, thelight source unit 108 may be located within the strips 104A such thatthe LEDs 104 and the light source unit 108 are a single unit.Accordingly, the LEDs 104 and the light source unit may be located inthe same posterior side location. In some embodiments, the LED stripsmay be attached to railings (e.g., a railing that extends from thebottom of the inner side wall 102C to the top of the inner side wall102C) via fasteners. Any suitable fastener may be utilized to attach theLEDs 104 to the frame or server computing device such as clips, adhesivestrips, etc.

In some embodiments, the LEDs 104 themselves may include a transmitterthat is coupled with a receiver (or light-emitting diode) which may, forexample, convert electrons (e.g., emitted from the light source unit108) to photons in order for the LEDs 104 to emit visible light. TheLEDs 104 may be any suitable LED. For example, the LEDs 104 may beGallium Arsenide (GaAs), infra-red (or red) LEDs, Zinc Selenide (ZnSe)blue LEDS, or any other LEDs that utilize various semiconductors toproduce various wavelengths of light. Alternatively any suitable lightsource may be used other than LEDs 104. For example, the light sourcemay be reflectorized light, fluorescent light, high-intensity discharge,or any other suitable light source. As described above, in someembodiments, the LEDs 104 may be coupled to the actual server modulesthemselves and may encompass the entire module. For example, using FIG.2, the LEDS may be disposed at a first posterior side edge 218B or wallof the Module 8, along the top posterior edge 218A, along a secondposterior side edge 218D or wall, and along a bottom posterior edge 218Cof the Module 8.

FIG. 3 is an example of the Module 8 of FIG. 1, and the light sourceunit 108 of FIG. 1, which illustrates that a user computing device maybe the power source for the LEDs, according to embodiments. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, a USB cable 312 may include a first end 312B orconnector that is for use in plugging into the USB interface 216 of thelight source unit 108. The USB cable may further include a second end312 or connector which may be for use in plugging into a user mobilephone 320, which is the power source. In some embodiments, the secondend 312 may be a micro USB connector in order to properly provideinterface with the mobile phone 320. Although FIG. 3 illustrates thatthe user computing device is a mobile phone 320, the user computingdevice may be any other suitable computing device. For example, thecomputing device may be a smart watch, a portable computer, a laptop ornotebook computer, a tablet computer, a pocket computer, a handheldradio, a remote control, or any other suitable computing device.

In some embodiments, the power source is not necessarily a computingdevice, but may be any user device having a battery and a USB interface.For example, the power source may be an external battery with a USBinterface (e.g., mobile phone battery pack).

There may be various advantages for utilizing a user computing device asthe power source in providing the light for the LEDS. For example, ifthe user computing device is the power source, then neither the datacenter nor any other portion of the server computing device is utilizingpower, thereby aligning with energy conservation practices. Moreover, amaintenance worker would be able to free up both of his or her handswithout compromising the amount of lighting he or she receives.

In an example illustration, if the maintenance worker had to remove andrepair a particular module, e.g., Module 4 of FIG. 1, then themaintenance worker may remove his or her mobile phone 320 from his orher pocket and utilize a light on the mobile phone 320 itself to firstplug the first end 312 into the USB interface 216 and the second end312A into the mobile phone 320. The maintenance worker may then pull outanother Module slightly, e.g., Module 8, and place the mobile phone 320on the module 8. Then the worker may turn on a switch (discussed in moredetail below) of the light source unit 108 such that the LEDs light upthe posterior side of the server computing device providing an adequateamount of light to the entire posterior side of the server computingdevice. The maintenance worker may then be able to have both of his orher hands free to be able to repair Module 4. This may be in contrast ofa worker who merely uses lighting on his or her mobile phone,flashlight, or any other separate lighting device. If a maintenanceworker uses a separate light source (e.g., a mobile phone itself), inorder to free up both of the maintenance worker's hands for largerepairs, he or she may have to place the separate light source down andtry to angle the lighting appropriately, which may be cumbersome and notprovide the needed amount of lighting. Moreover, the worker may try toplace the lighting device in his or her mouth, which may beuncomfortable and arduous. Further, even if the worker managed to bringa separate lighting device in the data center that provides efficientlighting, the lighting device itself may be bulky and non-intuitive forcarrying to different places, as opposed to a mobile phone, or a smartwatch for example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example light source unit 108, accordingto embodiments. In some embodiments, the light source unit 108 mayinclude a microcontroller 418 that is communicatively coupled to amotion sensor 422, a switch 424, a regulator 426, a USB interface 210,an LED interface 420, and a memory 430. In some embodiments, the lightsource 108 may utilize a microprocessor or other processing capabilitiesinstead of the microcontroller 222. Accordingly, in various embodiments,the light source unit 108 may include more or less of the components asillustrated in FIG. 4 (e.g., the light source unit 108 may not include amemory 430 in microprocessor environments).

The microcontroller 222 may be a small computing device utilized toreceive input signals and communicate the input results to one or moreoutput devices. The microcontroller 222 may include one or moreprocessors, a memory, and peripherals. In an example illustration and insome embodiments, the light source unit 108 may include a switch 424disposed on an external surface of the light source 108 such that a usermay provide input for use in turning the LEDs on or off. Accordingly,the microcontroller 418 may receive user input at switch 424 to activate(turn on) the LEDS by communicating the received input to the LEDinterface 420 such that the LEDs are activated for lighting.

In some embodiments, the light source unit 108 includes a motion sensor422 (e.g., instead of or in addition to the switch 424) configured tocause the plurality of LEDs to turn on or off when a door is opened on aposterior server computing device frame. For example, FIG. 5 is theserver computing device 100 of FIG. 1 that includes a door 130 axiallycoupled (e.g., can open or shut about an axis) to the frame at the outeredge 102B. In some embodiments, the motion sensor 422 may be configuredto transmit a unit of microwave radio energy (or ultrasonic sound waves)at particular intervals (e.g., every 0.4 seconds) and the light sourceunit 108 may store reflective patterns of the transmitted energy tocommunicate the appropriate outputs when necessary. For example, if thedoor 130 is closed, the motion sensor 422 may transmit radio energy andthe energy may bounce back or reflect off the door 130 in a specifiedpattern that is stored by the microcontroller 418. This particularpattern may be associated with the LEDs being inactivated or turned off.However, when a maintenance worker or user opens the door 130, thereflective pattern may be different than the reflective pattern emittedwhen the door 130 is closed, as the radio energy may not come in contactwith the entire door 130 when it is opened. Accordingly, any reflectivepattern that is different than the one experienced when the door 130 isclosed may cause the microcontroller 418 to communicate via the LEDinterface 420 to turn on the plurality of LEDs.

In other embodiments, the motion sensor 422 is coupled to any posteriorside of the server computing device that is not necessarily the lightsource unit 108. For example, the motion sensor 422 may be coupled toany of the posterior sides of any of the modules of the server computingdevice. The motion sensor 422 may also be coupled to the posterior frameof the server computing device, or any other posterior side location.

In some embodiments, the light source unit 108 further includes aregulator 426. The regulator 426 may be a voltage regulator configuredto regulate the voltage received from a USB cable to transmit to theLEDs. For example, a USB cable (e.g., USB cable 212) may normallyprovide between 4.5 and 5.25 volts to any given device. However, it maybe desirable to provide around 4.5 volts to the light source unit 108and LEDs before the energy is converted to photons in order to providethe appropriate amount of lighting. Accordingly, the regulator 426 maychange the voltage output to meet the specific voltage requirements toprovide the desired lighting for the LEDs.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing lighting to a server computing device, the system comprising: a server computing device; a light source unit disposed at a first posterior side location of the server computing device, the light source unit configured to at least provide lighting to a posterior side of the server computing device via one or more light emitting diodes; the light emitting diodes coupled to at least a second posterior side location of the server computing device; and wherein the light source unit includes a first universal serial bus (USB) interface configured to receive a first end of a USB cable, the USB cable configured to connect to a power source at a second end, the power source for use in providing power to the light emitting diodes.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second posterior side location includes a first portion of a first inner sidewall of a frame of the server computing device, an inner top portion of the frame, and a second portion of a second inner sidewall of the frame.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first posterior side location and the second posterior side location are a same location.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting diodes form a continuous layout from a first inner sidewall of a frame of the server computing device, to an inner top portion of the frame, to a second inner sidewall of the frame.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a door axially coupled to a posterior side of a frame of the server computing device; and a motion sensor configured to cause the light emitting diodes to turn on when the door is opened.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source is a first module of the server computing device.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first module is a maintenance module.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source is a user device having a battery and a second USB interface.
 9. A light source unit for providing lighting to a posterior side of a server computing device, the light source unit comprising: a light emitting diode interface configured to cause one or more light emitting diodes to provide lighting to the posterior side of the server computing device; and a universal serial bus (USB) interface configured to receive a first end of a USB cable, the USB cable configured to connect to a power source at a second end, the power source for use in providing power to the light emitting diodes.
 10. The light source unit of claim 9, further comprising a motion sensor configured to cause the light emitting diodes to turn on when a door is opened, wherein the door is axially coupled to a posterior side of a frame of the server computing device.
 11. The light source unit of claim 9, wherein the light emitting diodes are for use in forming a continuous layout from a first inner sidewall of a frame of the server computing device, to an inner top portion of the frame, to a second inner sidewall of the frame.
 12. The light source unit of claim 9, wherein the power source is a first module of the server computing device.
 13. The light source unit of claim 9, wherein the power source is a user computing device.
 14. The light source unit of claim 9, further comprising a switch configured to allow user input for use in turning the light emitting diodes on or off.
 15. A kit for providing lighting to a server computing device, the kit comprising: a light source unit configured to at least provide lighting to a posterior side of the server computing device via one or more light emitting diodes; and a universal serial bus (USB) cable for coupling to the light source unit at a first end and for further coupling to a power source at a second end, the power source for use in providing power to the light emitting diodes.
 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the light emitting diodes are embedded in a strip, the strip for use in forming a continuous layout from a first inner sidewall of a frame of the server computing device, to an inner top portion of the frame, to a second inner sidewall of the frame.
 17. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a motion sensor configured to turn the light emitting diodes on or off.
 18. The kit of claim 15, wherein the power source is a first module of the server computing device.
 19. The kit of claim 15, wherein the power source is a user computing device, the user computing device being one of: a mobile phone device, a smart watch, a laptop, or a tablet computing device.
 20. The kit of claim 15, further comprising one or more fasteners for use in attaching the light emitting diodes to the server computing device. 